Process of treating tobacco.



UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE. w

DEIETBIUS A. GALLAGHER, F YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.

rnocns's or marine 'ronacco.

Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Dnmrrnrus A. GAL- LAGHER, a citizen of the United States, and resident of York, county of York, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of Treating Tobacco, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a process of treating tobacco leaf for the purpose of removing impurities, improving its homing qualities, and imparting to it an improved fragrance and flavor.

It frequently happens that a crop of tobacco grown under favorable conditions as to soil and cultivation is found to be defective in burning qualities and to be ill-flainterior of the tobacco leaf is necessary in order to thoroughly clean, treat or condition it.

I have also discovered or invented a process of treating tobacco by means of which impurities may be removed and the natural flavor of the tobacco restored and by means of which its burning qualities are greatly improved.

By my process tobacco which is unfit for the'market can be made into good commercial leaf and tobacco which is of lowgrade may be greatly improved.

My process depends for its success upon the through opening of the pores or cells of the tobacco, and the separation from the tobacco, while in this condition, of foreign substances and thereafter the immediatein ordinary cases pure water maybe used or racks, the hands standing on their butt ends, and being covered with burlap or similar fabric. The screens or racksshould be in a closed building or compartment and the tobacco should be left in this condition until .all'dripping ceases, the temperature of the compartment being in the meantime quickly raised to. about 115 F. In case of .the treatment of stemmed and scrap tobaccos racks or screens adapted to the handling ofloose tobacco are used. I then uncover the tobacco and place it in a hot room and raise the temperature of the compartment quickly to from 125 to 150 F. bymeans of dry steam heat. The moisture in the tobacco being insufficient to keep it thoroughly moist throughout the heating process, I gen- Speciflcation 0! Letters Patent. V Patented May 20, 1913, A Application mu December 12. 191:. semi m nuts.

alone. When the tobacco is thoroughly saturated it is removed and laced on screens erate additlonal moisture by evaporating hydrating liquid. The maximum heat should be attained in from twent' to thirty minutes and should he maintains until the tobacco has become thoroughly heated through and is limp in every part, and its cells, both inner and outer, have opened. The degree of heat required and the length of time in attaining the same should be varied within the limits mentioned, depending upon the character of the tobacco being processed. This step in the process thorhly opens the cells of the tobacco and disges foreign substances ait'ectin its flavor and burning qualities, and at this stage in the process,- any ingredients which may have been added to the hydratin liquid to impart flavor, will become fixe in the tobacco by coalescence. I' then remove the tobacco quickly from the hot room or chamber to a room orplace which is as cool, at least, as the normal outdoor temperature. The tobacco is here subjected to a draft or blast of cool air and well shaken to free the leaf from soil substances and allother impurities dislodged by the heating and steaming steps in the process. The sudden cooling quickly closes the pores or cells of the leaf and seals them, retaining the desired flavor and constituents of the leaf. The tobacco may now be stemmed and dried inthe usual way.

It will be evident that my improved process may be carried out by hand or that its various steps may be performed by automatic or semi-automatic machinery.

The process is independent of any particular apparatus.

F 160 F. and sustaining. this temperature until the tobacco is thoroughly hot and limp and its cells open, then shaking the tobacco to free it from impurities, and finally sealing the cells by suddenly cooling it.

2. The process of treating tobacco to free it of impurities and improve its flavor an burning. qualities 'which' consists in subjecting the tobacco to a solution having hot water as a base, at a temperature of to F., then placing the tobacco upon screens or racks and gradually raising the temperature of the surrounding air toapproximately F., and maintaining this temperature until all dripping ceases, then quickly raising the temperature to to F. and sustaining this temperature until the tobacco is thoroughly hot and limp and its cells open, and finally sealing the cells by suddenly coolin it.

In testimony whereof I a my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DEMETRIUS A. GALLAGHER.

Witnesses:

EDNA M. LICHTENBERGER, ELLEN M. WELLENSIEK. 

